Guitar Center Presents: Stella Mozgawa

Drums, the forbidden fruit: with Warpaint's Stella Mozgawa. From the band's practice space, Stella talks with us about the strange versatility of smaller jazz kits, Istanbul cymbals, and playing the machines as a human.
Our extended interview with Stella: interviews.guit...
Find out more about Warpaint and get their latest album 'Heads Up' here: warpaintwarpain...
The song featured in the video is an instrumental version of Warpaint's "Love Is to Die" off their self-titled album. (AND that's just Stella with the breakbeat at the beginning of the video.)

[@GossGGoss]

Such a badass drummer. For my ears, the best rhythm section on the planet is Stella and Jenny Lee.

[@zeetuslupeedus]

I totally agree. The sound and energy is brilliant !

[@jarrettfinney4882]

100% agree. And I love truly great bands. Zeppelin, the Beatles. Warpaint definitely deserves more notoriety. They are so fucking killer. Guitars too. I genuinely love this band

[@keithkoenig5320]

The "Best??" You need to get out more...

[@GossGGoss]

@keithkoenig5320 you do know what an opinion is, correct? "For my ears" should've given it away but i realize you may not be that bright. Maybe you need to respect others opinions and not be a d-bag. Now piss off, plonker...

[@datickywickygurl]

Uggh I love her. Phenomenal drummer who just so happens to be one of the coolest people on the planet. She inspires me so much. ❤️

[@datickywickygurl]

Trump is that you??

[@chrisinak6296]

You just said it.

[@squiremuldoon5462]

Warpaint will never be warpaint of any of the members ever decides to part ways, they have such amazing chemistry as a unit.

[@Larry...W]

Stella's drumming is so hypnotic

[@Safe-and-effective]

she;s also hypnotic

[@jarrettfinney4882]

Dude, Stella kicks major ass. Warpaint is awesome. I’m so glad she’s their drummer

[@YTjanitor]

Stella, you're a drumming geek, big time, and it's no wonder your drumbeats are awesome.

[@Romany1111]

Great hearing Stella talk about her music. A real talent, still on the way up.

[@Foolian1332]

wth are her sponsors thinking there need to be hella videos like this, tutorials and shit, she's so great at talking about drums and straight up one of the most solid drummers in pop music right now, why not have more drumming media about her...?

[@kellyfreeman8319]

need to hear more of stella talking!!

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

Where is she from? Can't tell if that's an English accent or not.

[@AnandaLG]

@@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017 she's australian

[@gabbyc3444]

Can't believe she is from Australia!! Thought all the girls were from la?

[@ecxosolitat3328]

This is wonderful! One of the best drummers working today. I love how she talks about jazz kits; she could easily play jazz, she's that good...

[@SneakyCheeseThief]

“... like a human, which I am.” Love her

[@michaellynn19721]

Seen her and warpaint open for Depeche Mode last year in Dallas. Man, they rocked the joint. Much respect for her

[@TheAgentAssassin]

Primus and Tool That makes sense , her sound has that vibe but yet she has her own unique style.

[@syhi7971]

Performace with Kurt Vile was sick!

[@jonduke3919]

I have haven’t been so impressed in so long..I mean to no exactly what the song requires and creating a beat for it..✌️🎸🎼🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🇺🇸🇬🇧

[@peija96]

oh man she's so cool!

[@SonicJaneStooge]

0:10 Dayummmmmmmm

[@AdAsteris]

Great interview, great to get some insight into Warpaint's drum/electronic integration

[@jonathanmiles4401]

Just love this girl and her drumming. I play drums and have got massive respect for her. So glad I travelled to Oxford two nights ago to see Warpaint!

[@djaxupjazz]

cool voice, cool accent, intelligent stuff to say. What's not to like? Oh yeah, and a kickass drummer of course. One of my favorite drummers ever in fact.

[@22Phantasm]

I've no idea what Stella said in most of this clip, but I know she knows because her drumming is outstanding. And that's what really matters.

[@adsensedd]

She has a very creative approach to drums, one of the best parts of the band -- didn't know she was Australian!

[@bobbyhofermusic]

She is a great...really one of my favorite drummers. She suits the songs like Jason McGerr.

[@MacStatic]

I've noticed the jazz in her drums, and it's nice to know she likes that style :)

[@alanabernal2112]

Love Stella and love Warpaint.

[@wezzlyn]

Stella is a force to be reckoned with

[@moondustlisa]

Stella is awesome!

[@bluesriot2]

saw her tonight in jersey w/Courtney and Kurt - she was dancing behind the kit - awesome

[@Larry...W]

Wow she's so awesome

[@gregcircanow]

Saw her with Kurt & Courtney last night. Shredded so hard!

[@gabbyc3444]

Omg lucky!!!!

[@stefanodipace6025]

Keeps the sunglasses on the whole time. What a legend

[@reinventlove1866]

she's cool af

[@nutcase1995]

my favorite drummer of all time 😍

[@submoronicbomb]

I like the use of the higher tuned jazz kits of late, but the thunder on Warpaint and on Kurt Vile's last record is tasty too.

[@marghidanu]

She's a fantastic drummer! Fantastic I tell you!

[@dianahlywiak9711]

Absolutely love her! The coolest.

[@programmedwrong3795]

I love WarpAint!!!

[@atWarpLoT]

I lobe her so much,

[@ashrafrahman9392]

She listens to Tool, That's what came to my mind when the song love is to die starts to play

[@user-iq2oq8ol6z]

MY BAE

[@kaziislam9481]

harambe no you are my bad, HaramBAE

[@donseagrave]

stella the stuff you did with flea and john was badass 💚💚

[@lilianavergara3758]

Stella Mi Amor

[@ricknelson99]

One of my favorite drummers along with Phil Selway of Radiohead, interesting complex rhythms and time signatures.

[@andrewparker7016]

Brilliant she’s the best in Warpaint

[@dakotabass4025]

that is so good for God bless you

[@Waverer]

I love Stella, she is an amazing drummer. Didn't know she had an Australian accent (?) makes her even sexier.

[@lambethjlc]

well the accent is more of a birthright.

[@maygosiek7777]

She was born in Australia, but both her parents are Polish :)

[@TheAgentAssassin]

I thought she was from liverpool she has that nasally Ringo Star sound.

[@jessicasanchez7248]

😍😍my idol.

[@ksalanpang]

if she ever go modern smooth jazz, which I think it'd be exciting, she'd be even more expressive.

[@jjthedrummer]

what a fucking godess!! my babe

[@kevingustafson835]

Stella is a pro.

[@twigagawizard]

She's so badass

[@itchyvinyl]

Great, interesting drummer.

[@hellakooked]

best drummer

[@ArturoRodriguez-sm5bv]

my favorite WP'er

[@CarolAlejandra]

Perfecta 😍

[@michaelgeary9370]

If she teamed up with Deantoni Parks drumming would never be the same.

[@muhamadmokhtar8524]

She plying drum with lenka concert?

[@kamalabhamid4675]

She is Lenka's drummer band member right??

[@roderickpatterson5218]

You mention a "tight" drum and your preference for them. Do you copy your performances to a nice M.I.D.I. format? Then you can tweek and often, one grove leads to rwo.

[@evillilly131]

Does anyone know what type of heads Stella uses?

[@febriryan1391]

she was sick drummer

[@Panthercholo]

FAN

[@obliterum]

TOP

[@StoneBasses]

Tool and Primus fan. She just got a little cooler.

[@peaner083]

Acoustramonts....nice;) cool drummer,cool chick.

[@profile1251]

does she play for Kurt Vile ?

[@dogwalk3]

Green Star Interdimensional she's been playing for him lately at least!

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

909? uh oh, i must look into this...

[@Le_Butch]

What Ludwig snare drum is that?

[@bbfoto7248]

+LE - BUTCH The one she is playing is a ~1960 COB (Chrome Over Brass) Keystone badge "Super Ludwig" or 1963 or 1970 "Supra-Phonic" # 400/402...it's hard to tell because you can't see the snare throw-off/strainer which helps indicate what year/era it is. The one that Stella carries up the lift/freight elevator and walks down the hall with is a 1978-1980 Blue/Olive badge Ludwig Acrolite # 404 beaded aluminum shell, with an 80's Pearl gladstone-type throw-off/strainer attached (the Lugwig P85 throw-offs were crap IMO). The Black Pearl wrap finish snare that's standing on end on the floor is a 1962 ''Symphonic'' model # 902P. The tarnished silver looking snare with tube lugs that is next to it is a 1920's Ludwig "Universal" model fitted with modern triple-flange hoops, instead of the original single-flange hoops. I believe that the White Marine Pearl, Baby Blue, and Natural Maple kits are all C&C drums. Check out the new Istanbul Ion Xist Dark Series "Clap Stack" cymbal released at Winter NAMM 2018. It perfectly emulates the Roland 808 ''Clap'' sound! Stella probably helped develope it.

[@Bill_J_S]

She plays barefoot.... that's so rad....

[@bluesriot2]

them be some foxy feets yum

[@Two_Seat_Pete_FatA55]

I've seen others do that too. My friend plays barefoot and can't seem to play in shoes. Very strange

[@sasaki9825]

Please interview Chris Bear of grizzly bear

[@alexanderlopez1812]

🔥👈💪

[@zizoufishing]

[@dred363]

Whoa! I had no idea she had an accent.

[@zanzibar3035]

an accent??? it's called English

[@bbyhoodgoth]

Might be a far reach, but Stella my dear, will you marry me...? 🥺💕

[@eggshells652]

mom

[@caballopalido]

nice chestal and hindquarters

[@elephantricity]

Its interesting how Stella gets the most press out of all the members of the band. Probably because she is the best "musican." ?

[@MacDougalPuppy]

I think there is that aspect to it, but also the other band members seem to be more shy or a least leery of the press. From what interviews I've seen with them, they have more artistic temperments, while Stella is matter-of-fact and down-to-earth.

[@reinventingyourexit9]

it also probably helps that she plays so much with other musicians too

[@AquaAnim]

reinventingyourexit9 Yup shes done a great album with Flea!

[@PiNgPoNgLaDd10]

Wow she has brains too, cool